PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — An EMT from Bucks County is accused of trying to meet a teenage girl for sex.

Police in Pennsauken arrested Charles Amer.

They say he was still wearing his EMT uniform last week when he went to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old girl he was texting with.

Amer works with four different ambulance companies.

He’s charged with attempted sexual assault and several other crimes.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/emt-arrested-charles-amer/feed/0Camden County Announces Wide-Reaching Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers, Distributorshttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/camden-county-sues-oxycontin-maker/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/camden-county-sues-oxycontin-maker/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 04:48:31 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972875The opioid epidemic continues to plague our nation and now some communities in South Jersey are taking a new approach to fight back against those they feel are responsible.]]>

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — The opioid epidemic continues to plague our nation and now some communities in South Jersey are taking a new approach to fight back against those they feel are responsible.

Seven years ago, Patty DiRenzo’s son joined the ever growing list of victims to the opioid abuse epidemic. She blames big pharma for the death of her son, Sal.

“Had a toothache, went to the dentist and came home with 30 pills of Vicodin or OxyContin and that led to his complete spiral,” said DiRenzo.

Now, DiRenzo and local governments taxed with the daily responsibility of treating overdose victims are fighting back against the opioid industry.

“We paid for their lives with our loved ones’ deaths and they need to be held accountable,” said DiRenzo.

On Wednesday, officials in Camden County announced a wide-reaching lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers like Rite Aid and Walgreens.

They’re uniquely applying criminal racketeering statutes against companies like Purdue Pharma, whose owners — the Sackler family — developed OxyContin and allegedly lied about its addictive powers to doctors and pharmacists.

“The members of the Sackler family are the lowest form of humans you can possibly imagine,” said Louis Cappelli, chairman of the Camden County Board of Freeholders. “They have earned billions of dollars over the years at the expense of the American public.”

Purdue, which is facing lawsuits from more than a dozen states, said in a statement, “We are deeply troubled by the prescription and illicit opioid abuse crisis, and are dedicated to being part of the solution. We vigorously deny these allegations and look forward to the opportunity to present our defense.”

A spokesperson for Walgreens says they won’t comment on pending litigation, but Camden County’s lawyer says it is appropriate to go after individual pharmacies because they have a responsibility to let customers know about dangerous medications.

The county is seeking money for drug treatment and an end to what they consider dangerous practices by big pharma.

District Attorney Larry Krasner says that requiring people to post bail for minor crimes unfairly targets defendants who cannot afford to pay to keep themselves out of jail.

Krasner’s announcement Wednesday aligns with ongoing reforms in the city that seek to drive down the municipal jail population by diverting some defendants toward treatment programs and issuing tickets instead of arresting people for certain low-level offenses.

The move away from cash bail has gained national traction with the support of ranking judges and politicians. New Jersey last year all but eliminated cash bail and has since reported a 20 percent decrease in the number of jailed people awaiting trial.

(Copyright 2018 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/da-larry-krasner-drops-cash-bail/feed/1Police: 1 Dead, 5 Others Injured, Including Children, After Gunman Opens Fire On Vehiclehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/philly-shooter-van-crash/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/philly-shooter-van-crash/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 04:10:08 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973105A woman is dead and five others are injured, including some children, after a gunman opens fire on a driver in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A woman is dead and five others are injured, including some children, after a gunman opens fire on a driver in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

It happened around 8:30 p.m. near Broad Street and Grange Avenue in the Fern Rock section of the city.

Upon arrival to the scene, police say they found a van crashed into a building.

Inside the van police found a 23-year-old woman suffering from at least one gunshot wound. She was later pronounced dead.

Five others were found inside the van, including two women in their 20s, and two girls and one boy, between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. Police say some of the passengers were bleeding, but it’s unclear if they sustained injuries from the crash or glass from the shooting.

Police say the van was struck five times.

According to witnesses, the shooter opened fire when the van was traveling north on Broad Street.

Police believe after the driver was shot, she crossed over all lanes of Broad Street before crashing into a building on the 5800 block of Old York Road.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/philly-shooter-van-crash/feed/0EXCLUSIVE: Boy Bullied At School Wakes Up To Racist Graffiti On Homehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/philly-boy-bullied-graffiti/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/philly-boy-bullied-graffiti/#commentsThu, 22 Feb 2018 03:29:00 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973018Joey’s mom and dad say their son was targeted because of his race. ]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Joey Messina is soft-spoken.

A first honors student at Mastery Charter Thomas Campus, the 12-year-old loves baseball, but Joey can’t shake the troublemakers at school.

“They don’t like me, they never did,” he says.

Overnight, this seventh-grader’s schoolyard differences followed him home, spray-painted for all to see on his South Philadelphia home where he lives with his parents and two younger siblings.

“I turned around and just went, ‘Oh my God.’ I called him and said, ‘Hurry up, get out here and look at this,’” Margaux Messina, Joey’s mom, said.

#ONLYON3 – A 12-year-old, bullied at school, wakes up to this hateful graffiti across the front of his South Phila. home. Police have opened an investigation to determine if this is ethnic intimidation. At 6 on #CBS3@CBSPhillypic.twitter.com/e5r5C6ZKjh

Philadelphia police now have detectives assigned to investigative the graffiti.

“In this specific case, the nature of what was said does lead us to believe there is a racial component because of a specific word that was used,” Capt. Sekou Kinebrew said in a brief interview.

Joey’s dad is at a loss in dealing with what has arrived at his doorstep.

“I want to go up to that school and confront the main people and how am I composing myself, I don’t even know. I’m ready to explode,” said Joe Messina.

In a statement obtained by CBS3, the school says, “Our job is to keep students safe. We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and investigate all allegations thoroughly and expeditiously. For all off-campus incidents, we defer to the police for appropriate follow-up.”

The school added Joe Messina, the father, “is no longer allowed on campus because of a pattern of behavior.” They declined to provide further details.

A city anti-graffiti crew washed down the wall of the Messina’s home.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/philly-boy-bullied-graffiti/feed/1SRC To Vote On Whether To Allow 7 New Charter Schoolshttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/src-to-vote-on-whether-to-allow-7-new-charter-schools/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/src-to-vote-on-whether-to-allow-7-new-charter-schools/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 02:40:44 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973066Philadelphia has 84 charter schools, and the School Reform Commission will vote on applications for seven new ones. ]]>PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Applications for seven new charter schools will either get a “thumbs-up” or “thumbs-down” from the School Reform Commission Thursday evening.

Philadelphia has 84 charter schools, and the SRC will vote on applications for seven new ones. They include several bilingual charters, a third Math Science and Technology Charter, and a Philadelphia Hebrew Charter. The district’s Charter School Office evaluates each application for community support, the academic vision, and, finances, says Office executive director Dawn-Lynne Kacer.

“We do look at financial viability of any operator because that’s a capacity issue. If the operator is not demonstrating financial health and sustainability and they’re the operator of the charter school that’s being proposed, that’s a capacity concern.”

This is the final round of new charter applications the SRC considers, before it’s replaced by a local school board in July.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/src-to-vote-on-whether-to-allow-7-new-charter-schools/feed/0New Uber Service Could Be Cheaper Alternative To Mass Transithttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/new-uber-service-could-be-cheaper-alternative-to-mass-transit/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/new-uber-service-could-be-cheaper-alternative-to-mass-transit/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 01:35:31 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973064Uber is launching a new, cheaper service in Philadelphia, one that could cost about as much as a SEPTA ride.]]>

Instead of individual door to door service, the Uber Express Pool service debuting Thursday picks up riders near their door and drops them off near their destination, says Uber spokesman Craig Ewer.

“We’re asking folks to either walk a few blocks to their pickup location or to wait a few minutes to get picked up,” he said. “And the result is that we can produce better matches along more efficient, more direct routes.”

Ewer says those efficiencies mean fares 50-percent cheaper than Uber Pool and 75 percent less than UberX. That could be less than the $2.50 SEPTA fare.

SEPTA wouldn’t comment directly on the new Uber service but in a statement said, “SEPTA is working hard to improve the customer experience with technology enhancements such as a recently launched app that provides real-time updates on bus locations utilizing GPS, and implementation of the SEPTA Key fare modernization project. SEPTA is also currently doing a thorough study of its bus network in an effort to improve service reliability for customers. We look forward to engaging our riders, stakeholders and other local residents in a dialogue about ideas to enhance bus service throughout the region.”

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/new-uber-service-could-be-cheaper-alternative-to-mass-transit/feed/0Beer And Ballots: Philly Organization Uses Happy Hour To Get New Votershttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/beer-and-ballots-philly-organization-uses-beer-to-get-new-voters/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/beer-and-ballots-philly-organization-uses-beer-to-get-new-voters/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 01:14:35 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973088In an effort to get voters out to their polling places for the 2018 midterm elections, Young Involved Philadelphia held a voter registration happy hour Wednesday at the Field House bar in Center City.]]>PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A local organization is using happy hour to get people registered to vote.

In an effort to get voters out to their polling places for the 2018 midterm elections, Young Involved Philadelphia held a voter registration happy hour Wednesday at the Field House bar in Center City. It’s something organizer Nathan Adams says is important as they look to reach out to all kinds of people.

“Having it in a less formal setting, I find, gives people an opportunity to be more open and to really talk to each other in a very straight forward and welcoming way,” Adams said.

Rebekah Gable with Young Involved Philadelphia says not only do they want to get people to the polls, they want to help create an informed voter.

“We have 35 seats in the House and 33 Senate seats available to be contested this year,” Gable said, “so it’s really important that people register early and learn about the elections, especially considering the talk of redistricting that’s going on in the state.”

During the happy hour people who came out also got to connect with The Committee of Seventy, the office of the commissioners and Philly 3.0, all of which are organization that work with issues surrounding voters and elections.

A sign is now posted on the front entrance door of the Cinemark 6 theater on Walnut Street by the University of Pennsylvania in West Philadelphia. The sign states that both movie guests and employees are no longer allowed to bring in bags or packages larger than “12” x “12” x ”6” inches. The theater signage also states that the company reserves the right to inspect all bags and packages entering its theaters.

“If it can prevent a shooting, then I’m all for the change for sure. We don’t need anybody, no more senseless killings at all I’m over it,” said moviegoer, Akaira Younger. Similar sentiments were shared on the heels of the Parkland, Florida high school shooting.

“I just watched a movie last night about school shootings and I really see how searching can be a good thing yeah so I’m cool,” said Melissa Mcdowall, who was on her way to watch the new Marvel movie Black Panther.

Kenneth Younger was at the movies in Philadelphia on the same night as the deadly Aurora, Colorado theater mass shooting. “A few years back, I went to go see the Dark Knight and I remember that there was a shooting and it was a midnight show with my cousin and I was like that could’ve been us.”

Despite aforementioned approval, not everyone is on board with the change.

“It’s an inconvenience. People carry their stuff in there,” said Cinemark moviegoer, Patricia Beal. The movie theater company states on its website that the exception to the new policy is for diaper bags and medical equipment bags.

“I’m a girl. I have a plethora of bags that wouldn’t bother me at all. Usually all I need is my phone and my wallet anyways so,” said Akaira Younger. If you bring a bag larger than the allowed size, Cinemark stated on its website that there will not be a general area offered to hold bags.

CBS 3 Eyewitness News has reached out to Cinemark Theatres numerous times and have not heard back.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — “Selfitis” is when a person is compelled to constantly take photos of themselves and post them on social media, and doctors say it’s a genuine mental condition backed by new science.

Sisters Taelor and Tia Smith and their friends say they snap hundreds of selfies a day.

“Sometimes I feel you know everything doesn’t translate on camera, but then to turn and see oh my good my teeth look great, my eyebrows match this is great,” Taelor said.

A recent study in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction suggests compulsive selfie-taking can lead to “selfitis.”

“A selfie addiction is when a person is almost obsessively taking selfies–multiple times a day–and posting that to whatever it might be–Snapchat, Facebook or Instagram,” Dr. Ramani Durvasula said.

Psychologist say those who suffer from selfitis are generally seeking to boost their confidence, get attention, improve their mood, make memories, conform with their social group and be socially competitive.

And they say if more than 50-percent of your photos are selfies and you’re using filters frequently those are red flags.

“More studies are showing this–more time spent on social media sites negatively affects people’s self esteem, can make a person less able to cope, more likely to have anxiety, depression–that sort of thing,” Dr. Durvasula explained.

To help avoid selfitis, it’s advised that you put your phone down and create “Selfie free zones.”

Doctors say constantly taking selfies can also be considered an addictive behavior.

They say the best way to help someone who does this is to not like or validate their photos on social media.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/impulsive-selfie-taking-selfitis/feed/0Robots, Teens Take Over Boeing For National Engineers Weekhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/robots-teens-take-over-boeing-for-national-engineers-week/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/robots-teens-take-over-boeing-for-national-engineers-week/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 23:38:19 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973016The innovators at Boeing in Ridley Park, Delaware County are getting a look at the industry's future stars during this National Engineers Week.]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The innovators at Boeing in Ridley Park, Delaware County are getting a look at the industry’s future stars during this National Engineers Week: middle- and high-schoolers who are learning from, and teaching, their adult counterparts.

“So, right now, we have someone driving the robot.”

Part of Boeing’s cafeteria has gone to the robots, and students like seniors Shivani Sowmyan and Joshua Sizer, whose Wissahickon High School team is among the creators.

“It’s amazing what this organization has opened up — all the opportunities,” Sizer says. “I’d probably not be as interested in engineering, had it not been for this club.”

As part of the six-week-long FIRST Robotics Competition, they build and tinker and refine after school and on weekends.

“We want them to be dissatisfied with the way things are because they need to be advancing,” says Daniel Newman, senior technical fellow in aircraft development at Boeing, which sponsors student FIRST teams. “They need to understand where we’ve been so they can take the next leap. And it’s pretty exciting to see what’s coming.”

Engineers mentor students like Sowmyan, who has used the program to map out her own path.

“It’s taught me a lot about STEM and has inspired me to be an engineer when I go to college,” she says.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/robots-teens-take-over-boeing-for-national-engineers-week/feed/0People Putting Their Sense Of Smell To The Test By Creating Own Perfume Scenthttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/creating-own-perfume-scent/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/creating-own-perfume-scent/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 23:31:52 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973020Are you looking for a fun new DIY project?]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Are you looking for a fun new DIY project?

How about getting together with a group of friends and creating your signature scent!

Our Vittoria Woodill has more on this fun new experience! That’s a great way to show off your personality with perfume!

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/creating-own-perfume-scent/feed/0Reading Terminal Market Celebrates 125th Birthdayhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/reading-terminal-market-celebrates-125th-birthday/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/reading-terminal-market-celebrates-125th-birthday/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 23:02:11 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=973002Reading Terminal Market will kick off its 125th year with a magnificent birthday party on Thursday followed by their annual Party For the Market celebration on Saturday night.]]>PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Reading Terminal Market will kick off its 125th year with a magnificent birthday party on Thursday followed by their annual Party For the Market celebration on Saturday night.

“In 1893, when the market opened, the stalls were much smaller,” she said, “so there were hundreds of stores.”

And she says they weren’t built with the conveniences of today.

“There was no HVAC system, no air conditioning, no exhaust system, none of those things. They weren’t needed and they hadn’t really been invented, yet,” Levitsky said. “But in the basement, we had the largest refrigeration space in the state of Pennsylvania. It was done with blocks of ice and ultimately a system that distributed ammonia to different rooms in the basement that were chilled to different temperatures based on what was stored there.”

She says Thursday’s birthday celebration of the market lasts all day and stay tuned for additional celebrations throughout the year.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/reading-terminal-market-celebrates-125th-birthday/feed/0Lockheed Martin Gets Stuck On National Engineers Weekhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/lockheed-martin-gets-stuck-on-national-engineers-week/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/lockheed-martin-gets-stuck-on-national-engineers-week/#commentsWed, 21 Feb 2018 22:46:20 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972994To celebrate National Engineers Week, a bunch of workers at Lockheed Martin in Morrestown, New Jersey were duct taping coworkers to the wall for an annual competition known as the Fly on the Wall Challenge. ]]>

MOORESTOWN, N.J. (CBS) — Boosting morale with a little duct tape.

A group of engineers at a Burlington County security and aerospace company were doing just that on Wednesday.

It’s National Engineers Week, and to celebrate, a bunch of engineers at Lockheed Martin in Moorestown were letting their hair down and duct taping coworkers to the wall for an annual competition known as the Fly on the Wall Challenge. The team whose “fly” stuck on the wall the longest won.

Software Engineer Svetlana Antonov was suspended a few inches from the floor with strips of duck tape holding her in place.

(credit: John McDevitt)

So is there a secret or technique?

“That’s our secret,” Antonov joked. “It’s classified.”

The winning team received a trophy with a golden rubber ducky on top, secured with Velcro and, of course, duct tape.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/lockheed-martin-gets-stuck-on-national-engineers-week/feed/1Students Across Area Supporting Gun Violence Awareness Following Deadly School Shootinghttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/eastern-high-school-walkout/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/eastern-high-school-walkout/#commentsWed, 21 Feb 2018 22:30:28 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972915Students across the area are showing their support to raise gun violence awareness following last week’s deadly school shooting in Florida.]]>

VOORHEES, N.J. (CBS) — Students across the area are showing their support to raise gun violence awareness following last week’s deadly school shooting in Florida.

Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine, says Blatstein’s decision a few weeks ago to begin the process of applying for a casino license won’t serve the town well.

“He hasn’t done anything inside to improve the facility itself. He’s just offering rooms to rent,” Gros said. “There hasn’t been any improvement within the facility, so I don’t know why he thinks he can he can run a casino profitably when that wasn’t the case when it was operated by the largest gaming corporation in America, Caesar’s.”

Gros says it’s more likely one or two casino properties may be forced to close because of market saturation, especially with the expected opening of the Hard Rock and Ocean Resorts casinos on either side of the Showboat.

“I think [Blatstein] is just probably hoping for some spillover from those properties,” he said, “and unless he has something special up his sleeve, I can’t see it working.”

Blatstein’s office did not return our request for comment on his Atlantic City plans.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/i-cant-see-it-working-blatsteins-plan-for-showboat-draws-criticism-from-casino-analyst/feed/0New Jersey To Uphold Paris Climate Pact Under New Lawhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/nj-to-uphold-paris-climate-pact/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/nj-to-uphold-paris-climate-pact/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 21:48:02 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972952New Jersey is joining more than a dozen other states to uphold an international climate accord.]]>

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey is joining more than a dozen other states to uphold an international climate accord.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed into law a measure that requires New Jersey join the United States Climate Alliance. It’s a group of 15 states and Puerto Rico committed to upholding the goals of the Paris climate agreement.

Murphy promised last year during the campaign to succeed Republican Chris Christie that the state would join the alliance.

Republican President Donald Trump said he was pulling the United States out of the 195-country compact in June.

The Paris accord set goals to limit the rise of temperatures and encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Murphy has also pledged that New Jersey would use 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

In January, the 77-year-old Canadian underwent surgery for blood clots on his brain caused by a fall.

(Copyright 2018 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/alex-trebek-pennsylvania-governors-debate/feed/0Republicans Mount Legal Challenges To Pennsylvania’s New Congressional Maphttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/republicans-mount-legal-challenges-to-pennsylvanias-new-congressional-map/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/republicans-mount-legal-challenges-to-pennsylvanias-new-congressional-map/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 20:40:09 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972939The next round of court challenges in the Pennsylvania Congressional redistricting saga is getting underway.]]>NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — The next round of court challenges in the Pennsylvania Congressional redistricting saga are underway. Republicans in the Pennsylvania state legislature have asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency stay, while another challenge is planned for federal court.

Lawrence Tabas, an attorney representing several Republican candidates and volunteers, believes the U.S. Supreme Court should put a hold on the implementation of new congressional maps in Pennsylvania.

“The Supreme Court did not give appropriate time for the legislature to fulfill its U.S. constitutional duty,” he said.

Tabas says the state legislature was not given enough time to draw and pass a new map under the time frame laid out by the state Supreme Court. And he says the implementation of the new map, with such a tight time-line, is a due-process and equal protection issue.

“That’s not fair to any voter in Pennsylvania, Democrat, Republican, Independent,” Tabas said. “All voters have been put into this situation of chaos and confusion.”

He compares the timeline to referees in the Super Bowl changing the rules of the game in the fourth quarter, leaving coaches and players scrambling to try to determine how to now play the game.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/republicans-mount-legal-challenges-to-pennsylvanias-new-congressional-map/feed/0Elementary School Students Compete In African-American History Beehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/elementary-school-students-compete-in-african-american-history-bee/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/elementary-school-students-compete-in-african-american-history-bee/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 20:15:56 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972935To celebrate Black History Month, students at Wyncote Elementary showed off their knowledge Wednesday in an African-American History Bee. ]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — To celebrate Black History Month, students at Wyncote Elementary School showed off their knowledge Wednesday in an African-American History Bee.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Organizers of the Greater Philadelphia Billy Graham Crusade remember well his visit in 1992. They say it was a rich experience, bringing in African-American ministers for the first time.

Rev. William Moore, pastor at Tenth Memorial Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, was co-chair of that Billy Graham Crusade.

“This was really a groundbreaking experience,” Moore said, “because it was the first time we met together across racial lines, and across various ethnic persuasions and congregations.’

Attorney Nelson Diaz, a former judge and former Philadelphia city solicitor, was another co-chair, recalling Graham drew more than 250,000 people to Veterans Stadium over four days.

“He was non-judgemental,” Diaz said, “and very open to all.”

Judge Diaz recalls he inadvertently disclosed to a reporter for the first time that Graham, whom he called “America’s Pastor,” suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. He wrote a letter of apology.

“Billy sends me back a wonderful letter, which I carry with me everyday,” Diaz said. “It says, ‘Nelson, it is important that you did that. It was the right timing. Now, I have a lot of people praying for me.'”

At the Vet one night, former Eagles great Reggie White was scheduled to give testimony to the crowd, but he was told moments before he took the stage that his teammate, Jerome Brown, had just died in a car accident.

‘Tonight, I planned on sharing my testimony, but it’s been altered,” White told the crowd. “Today, I lost a great friend. Philadelphia lost a great player. Jerome Brown died today.”

Moore recalls Graham going to Camden with them to view the “My Brothers’ Keeper” drug program. He listened to clients, including one who was jailed for five years by then Judge Diaz.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” Moore said. “The man raised his hand and said ‘Judge Diaz, you don’t remember me, but I remember you, but you saved my life, because you locked me up.'”

Moore says Graham was grateful to share the experience of how people were “remaking their lives.”

For Pastor K. Marshall Williams Sr. it feels like he’s lost a friend and spiritual mentor.

Williams has followed Graham’s teachings since he was just a teenager.

“I use to listen to him on TV, I attended one of his crusades,” said Williams.

Pastor Williams distinctly remembers hosting the “My Hope” initiative a few years ago at his church–Nazarene Baptist on Cheltenham Avenue. The evangelistic video program features powerful messages from Billy Graham, meant to inspire and spread the gospel.

Graham who preached to an estimated 215 million in 185 countries around the world during his lifetime was also known for his stance during the segregation movement– fighting for equality both inside and outside of the church.

Pastor Williams recalls an example from the late 50’s where Graham demanded a crusade that divided blacks and whites be inclusive of everyone.

“He said we’re not gonna have no segregated crusades here,” recalled Williams. “Billy came down and took the rope down saying we will never have a crusade where men and women black white red or green will be separated.”

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/local-leaders-remember-billy-graham-crusade-in-philadelphia/feed/0Police: 3 Suspects Arrested, Charged In Murder Of 26-Year-Old Manhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/3-suspects-arrested-in-murder/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/3-suspects-arrested-in-murder/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 19:24:27 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972888Police have arrested and charged three in people in connection with the murder of a 26-year-old man on Sunday in Bucks County.]]>

BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) —Police have arrested and charged three in people in connection with the murder of a 26-year-old man on Sunday in Bucks County.

Charles Alexander, Ann Marie Rodriquez and Jonathan Vega are in custody for the murder of Tevin Hill, according to Bensalem Township Police and Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Credit: (Bensalem Township Police)

All three suspects have been charged with the criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy and related offenses, as they remain behind bars without bail at Bucks County Correctional Facility.

Authorities say the shooting happened on the 900 block of Bristol Pike in Bensalem on Feb. 18, when the three suspects allegedly conspired to rob Hill, who was shot while he sat in his vehicle.

Hill succumbed to his injuries at the hospital where he was transported for treatment, according to authorities.

Police say that when detectives searched DeVoren’s apartment, they also found drugs, including crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

DeVoren has been charged with ten counts of aggravated cruelty to an animal, ten counts of sexual intercourse with an animal, and drug possession.

DeVoren also volunteered as a dog walker for the Humane Animal Rescue in 2014, but the organization says he was never alone with any of the animals.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/police-lawyer-sexually-abuses-dog/feed/2Brotherly Love: Different Abilities, One Team At Downingtown Dominatorshttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/brotherly-love-downingtown-dominators/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/brotherly-love-downingtown-dominators/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 18:14:08 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972881Ukee Washington spoke to a West Chester University freshman whose Chester County cheerleading team is blazing a trail.]]>

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) – Ukee Washington spoke to a West Chester University freshman whose Chester County cheerleading team is blazing a trail.

We caught up with the team at their practice space, Metzler’s Gymnastics in Downingtown, where they work hard to practice their pep.

“Hey, fans in the stands, stand up and clap your hands! Dominators! Dominators!”

This is Downingtown Dominators, a cheerleading group for young people of all abilities.

Nineteen-year-old Liz Schlosser is leading the practice: “Make sure we’re hitting our motions on the word…” she tells the athletes.

Ukee Washington sat down with Liz after practice. “What message are you putting out there?” Ukee asked.

“Instead of having one team in our society of people with disabilities and one for kids without, we should all be on the same team, because that’s how I believe society should be,” Liz said.

For every person on the team with a disability, there is a person without a disability to partner with. Josh Homa and his coach, Paige Greenleaf, are a team.

“She can be a little tough coach sometimes,” Josh laughed.

“We always calm each other down,” Paige said. “When we do conditioning I always say we’re going to do a pushup, and it’s “Oh no!”

Josh laughed. “But I still do it!”

Eighteen-year-old Olivia Riehl is part of a basing team. “Basing is basically, you lift the flyer up so it helps the flyer, and I can base her up.

“For me, I love basing,” Olivia said. She asked one of the flyers, 17-year-old Paige Thomas, “What about you?”

“Mine is stunts and dancing,” Paige Thomas said.

The club started with four members. Now it has about 35, and it’s free.

“We really take anybody,” Liz said. “I find I can’t say no to anybody, because I know that these kids are showing society that people with disabilities deserve to be seen as these athletes that they are.”

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/brotherly-love-downingtown-dominators/feed/0South Jersey Relatives Gather To Cheer On US Bob Sledder Elana Meyers Taylorhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/bob-sledder-elana-meyers-taylor/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/bob-sledder-elana-meyers-taylor/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 17:55:19 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972858A family in South Jersey had an Olympic watch party early this morning to cheer for their favorite women’s bobsledder who was chasing her first gold medal.]]>

PEMBERTON, N.J. (CBS) — A family in South Jersey had an Olympic watch party early this morning to cheer for their favorite women’s bobsledder who was chasing her first gold medal.

Sixteen members of bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor’s South Jersey family got together at the house of her aunt.

Aunt June’s house, which was decked out in red, white and blue, was a place of support and cheers as Elana hit the ice.

“We’re very close and these moments, we love to share together,” June said.

They had breakfast, including mimosas and bloody marys, as they prepared to watch their favorite Olympian. Despite, an incrdedible run, the Germans beat Elana, barely.

“To lose seven hundredths of a second, on a race. You can’t even blink that quick,” Elana said.

June and the rest were disappointed with the result, but that didn’t take away their pride.

“We take silver, all day long,” June said.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/bob-sledder-elana-meyers-taylor/feed/0Pregnant Woman Found Stabbed To Death In Montgomery Countyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/pregnant-woman-stabbed-montgomery-county/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/pregnant-woman-stabbed-montgomery-county/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 17:20:31 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972843Authorities in Montgomery County are investigating the death of a mother and her unborn child after the woman was found stabbed to death in her Elkins Park home. ]]>

ELKINS PARK, Pa. (CBS) – Authorities in Montgomery County are investigating the death of a mother and her unborn child after the woman was found stabbed to death in her Elkins Park home.

Cheltenham Township police were called to an apartment at the Lynnwood Gardens Apartments, just after 3 a.m. on Monday for reports of an argument.

When investigators arrived they found 31-year-old Ebony White in the bedroom. Police say she had been stabbed multiple times.

Her two children, ages 2 and 7, were home at the time, but were not harmed.

An autopsy revealed White was pregnant at the time of the stabbing. Her unborn child died as a result of the multiple stab wounds.

If you have any information on this homicide, please contact Cheltenham Township Police at 215-885-1600 or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/pregnant-woman-stabbed-montgomery-county/feed/0Some Old City Residents Allowed To Go Back Home After Weekend Firehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/old-city-4-alarm-fire-safety-operation/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/old-city-4-alarm-fire-safety-operation/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 16:36:15 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972802Some good news for residents affected by Sunday's four-alarm fire in Old City.]]>

Several residents who live near 239 Chestnut St. are being allowed back home. Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections has given the all clear for the following seven addresses to be re-occupied:

229 Chestnut St

231 Chestnut St

233 Chestnut St

33 S 3rd St

35 S 3rd St

37-39 S 3rd St

32-42 S Bank St

Officials said four properties are still too dangerous to live in, but city inspectors will allow residents to enter briefly to retrieve medication, important paperwork and other personal items.

241-43 Chestnut Street

45 S. 3rd Street

41-43 S 3rd Street

24 S. Bank Street

In all cases, officials say residents should contact property managers to make arrangements for re-occupancy or retrieval of belongings.

The following road closures will remain in effect:

Chestnut between S Bank and S 4th Streets

Elbow Lane between S Bank and S 3rd Streets

S Bank between Elbow Lane and Chestnut Street

S 3rd St between Elbow Lane and Walnut Street.

City officials have ordered 239 Chestnut St. to be demolished.

The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/old-city-4-alarm-fire-safety-operation/feed/0Police: T-Rex Was Just Walking A Student To Schoolhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/t-rex-school-east-lansdowne/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/t-rex-school-east-lansdowne/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 14:14:06 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972784Police in East Lansdowne received an unusual report about a dinosaur on the loose.]]>EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. (AP) – Police in East Lansdowne received an unusual report about a dinosaur on the loose.

But officers did not panic and took things in stride when they realized what was happening.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/t-rex-school-east-lansdowne/feed/0Officials: 1 Dead After Flames Destroy Delaware County Homehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/pittman-avenue-house-fire/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/pittman-avenue-house-fire/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 13:02:59 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972767Crews were called to a three-story home on the 900 block of Pittman Avenue in Collingdale, just after 6 a.m. Wednesday.
]]>

DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) – Officials say one person has died after flames ripped through a home in Delaware County on Wednesday morning.

Crews were called to a three-story home on the 900 block of Pittman Avenue in Collingdale, just after 6 a.m.

Officials say one person remains unaccounted for.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/pittman-avenue-house-fire/feed/0Police: Home Invasion Suspect Breaks Into 2 Apartments, Several Shots Firedhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/feltonville-home-invasion-2/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/feltonville-home-invasion-2/#commentsWed, 21 Feb 2018 11:23:39 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972749Philadelphia police are searching for a man who broke into two apartments early Wednesday morning and pistol-whipped and terrorized a man and a woman inside.]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia police are searching for a man who broke into two apartments early Wednesday morning and pistol-whipped and terrorized a man and a woman inside.

It happened just before 4 a.m. on the 200 block of W. Roosevelt Blvd in Feltonville.

Moses Lawrence told Eyewitness News he was asleep when a Hispanic man broke into his apartment.

“He was beating me in my head with the gun,” he said. “‘Where the money at, where the money at?’ I said, ‘I don’t got the money!’ He said, ‘Where the drugs at? Where the drugs at?’ I’m like, ‘What drugs?'”

Lawrence said he played dead as the man ransacked his apartment. When he saw an opportunity, he ran out into the street for help.

“I was just trying to run for my life,” he said. “I got down like this and kept running. I said, ‘Help! Help! Anybody!'”

The man followed Lawrence out of the apartment and fired at least six shots at him. Fortunately, he missed. But police say the man was far from finished. He went back inside the building to break into the apartment of a 34-year-old woman.

“He did the same thing,” said Capt. Drew Techner. He pistol whips her, makes demands for drugs and money and looking for another male.”

The man got away. Police suspect he crashed into several cars on Loudon Street behind the complex.

Both Lawrence and his neighbor were treated and released from Einstein Medical Center.

Lawrence described the suspect as a tall, skinny Hispanic man, who was wearing red pants and a black shirt. He also had on a hoodie with red sleeves was left at the scene.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/feltonville-home-invasion-2/feed/1Woman Injured In Hit-And-Run In Nicetownhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/nicetown-hit-and-run/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/nicetown-hit-and-run/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 11:10:21 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972746The search is on for the driver responsible for a hit-and-run early Wednesday morning in Nicetown.]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The search is on for the driver responsible for a hit-and-run early Wednesday morning in Nicetown.

A 28-year-old woman was hit by a vehicle just after midnight near Pulaski Street and Hunting Park Avenue.

The victim suffered a broken arm.

The driver did not stay at the scene, and so far, police have not released a description of that vehicle.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/21/nicetown-hit-and-run/feed/0Judge Declares Mistrial In Philadelphia Mob Boss Fraud Casehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/skinny-joey-mistrial/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/skinny-joey-mistrial/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 04:56:24 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972676A mistrial was declared on Tuesday in the New York City racketeering trial of a notorious Philadelphia mob boss who had insisted he quit his life of crime after a lengthy prison term.]]>

NEW YORK (AP) — A mistrial was declared on Tuesday in the New York City racketeering trial of a notorious Philadelphia mob boss who had insisted he quit his life of crime after a lengthy prison term.

Jurors at the trial of Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino told U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan in a series of five notes that they were hopelessly deadlocked after nearly four days of deliberations.

“Thank God for the jury,” a subdued Merlino told reporters afterward. He declined further comment.

There was no word from the government on whether it would seek another trial.

Prosecutors had alleged that instead of retiring, Merlino muscled his way into gambling and health insurance schemes run by crime families on the East Coast. He used his standing as a feared figure in the Mafia to demand protection payments from bookies and other underlings running a scheme to collect thousands of dollars of insurance claims by bribing doctors to write phony pain cream prescriptions for people who had no ailments, prosecutors said.

Joey Merlino file photo. (credit: CBS)

“Being with Merlino did not come for free,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Schorr said during closing arguments. “You pay tribute.”

Defense attorney Edwin Jacob countered by telling jurors that they were being misled by “compromised” turncoat mobsters who testified against Merlino, including one who made hundreds of hours of secret recordings of him.

“Have you heard anybody say Joseph Merlino is the boss of the Philadelphia mob?” Jacobs asked, referring to tapes played for the jury. “The answer is obvious — not a peep that he’s the boss of (the) Philadelphia mob.”

But prosecutors argued the tapes showed Merlino had full knowledge of the frauds. In one conversation played for the jury about bribing doctors, he is heard saying, “We do the right thing, make 20,000.” In another, he frets about “stool pigeons.”

Merlino, 55, once controlled the remnants of a Philadelphia organized crime family that was decimated by a bloody civil war in the 1980s and 1990s. Federal authorities said he was frequently targeted by murder plots after rivals put a $500,000 murder contract on his head.

In 2001, a jury acquitted Merlino and six co-defendants of three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder that could have put him behind bars for life. He was convicted of lesser racketeering charges and served 12 years in prison.

Merlino claimed he retired from the mob for good and started a new life by running an upscale Italian restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida. At the time of the alleged conspiracy, he was a gambling addict who took money from a cooperator because he was always broke, his lawyer said.

There also was testimony from government witnesses, heard by his wife in the audience, that he drank heavily and that he had an affair with a pharmaceutical saleswoman.

After the testimony about the fling, Merlino approached a New York Post reporter outside court and told him, “Don’t put the girl in” a story, the tabloid reported.

In another aside after the jury was picked, he predicted his trial would end in a “deadlock win” for him and offered what turned out to be a winning tip on the Super Bowl: “Oh, and bet the Eagles.”

(Copyright 2018 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/skinny-joey-mistrial/feed/0Police: Teen Shot Three Times In West Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/teen-shot-west-philly/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/teen-shot-west-philly/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 04:55:45 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972740A teenager is in critical condition after being shot in West Philadelphia.]]>

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A teenager is in critical condition after being shot in West Philadelphia.

Chopper 3 was over the scene on the 5600 block of Sansom Street.

Police tell us the 17-year-old boy was shot three times just before 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

MAPLE SHADE, N.J. (CBS) — Questions about student safety and accusations of racist behavior led to an increased police presence at Maple Shade High School on Tuesday.

Officials say it’s related to posts on social media.

“All I know is that they made this racist video and put it out on social media and they made a threat to the school,” says senior Jenna Heckmann.

No word if there were any actual threats against students but school officials took precautions anyway with extra police officers and a letter reassuring parents the matter is being addressed.

Credit: Maple Shade Board of Education

In the letter school officials said they were just made aware of a person outside the school making social media posts over the weekend about students at the school.

The posts accused some Maple Shade students of discriminating against other races.

According to students and parents, the contents of the alleged racist student videos were several female students in black face and at least one saying a racial slur.

Circulation of the posts prompted talks of a possible student protest, which school Superintendent Beth Norcia tried to quell in the letter by saying, “you have my promise that we are addressing all issues and creating a plan to make sure all students feel respected, appreciated and valued.”

Parents like Debbi Heckmann were flustered students would even think to make racist videos.

“It’s just upsetting that kids find something so serious and they make light of it. I just don’t understand how the kids don’t realize that it’s wrong,” says Heckmann.

Eyewitness News tried to reach Superintendent Norcia throughout the day with no response.

Her letter does say some of the racially charged video circulating online is from last year and was addressed, but other material is just coming to their attention and is now being investigated.

]]>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/maple-shade-racist-videos/feed/1Murphy Calls For Review Of School-Shooting Protocols In New Jerseyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/nj-school-adds-armed-officers/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/02/20/nj-school-adds-armed-officers/#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 04:52:53 +0000Local – CBS Phillyhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/?p=972381New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy praised students pushing for gun control measures and called for a review of school-shooting protocols in the state.]]>

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy praised students pushing for gun control measures and called for a review of school-shooting protocols in the state.

Murphy said Tuesday at a news conference his administration will review a mandate that schools prepare for active shootings with the goal of improving school safety after last week’s fatal shooting in Florida.

Murphy spoke as a group of students who survived the fatal Florida school shooting began a 400-mile trip to the state capital to pressure lawmakers on gun control legislation. Similar student events are expected in New Jersey.

Murphy says “kids are showing us the way.”

Murphy also reiterated promises to sign legislation vetoed by Republican Chris Christie, including a high-caliber ammunition ban, and to create a multi-state coalition against gun violence.

In Washington Township, school officials sent out a letter reminding parents of the safety plans already in place.

“I feel like the measures that we put in place absolutely upped the security of the school and the district,” said a school spokesperson.

Two years ago, the district made all high school students wear ID badges before entering the building. All eleven schools are now secured with vestibules and inside, there are security cameras at each entrance and in the hallways. The footage is now live-streamed directly to the Washington Township Police Department.

Officials say there are also two security drills a month.

Sophomore Alexa Sanger participates in the school’s active shooter drills every few months. She says they last about four minutes.

“You just go into the back corner and they just lock the doors and keep the lights off,” she said.

The governor’s new conference comes as an East Brunswick school district is adding armed police officers to its security plan.

The school board decided the officers will supplement its existing staff of 71 security guards, who are all retired police officers.

She says BalletX works with more than 200 students while teaching them dance skills to help propel them through life.

“The confidence level that these children have when they leave our dance exchange program and go on into the world whether it’s to be dancers, lawyers, doctors, they know they can do it,” Holland said. “There is nothing in this world that they can’t do.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Philadelphia Zoo is mourning the loss of one its beloved polar bears.

The zoo announced Tuesday 37-year-old Coldilocks was euthanized due to a serious decline in her health.

Coldilocks was the oldest bear in the country.

Coldilocks, @Phillyzoo 's 37y/o female polar bear, has died. Oldest polar bear in the USA @ the time of her death. Euthanized due to severely declining health. Always loved seeing her on my many trips to the zoo, starting in grade school. Thanks for the memories! @phillyzoopic.twitter.com/ddDAMPj6Ui

She was born Dec. 13, 1980 at Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York, and arrived at Philadelphia Zoo on Oct. 6, 1981.

She became one of the Zoo’s most cherished animals.

​

“We are truly saddened this week – Coldilocks will be greatly missed.” says Dr. Andy Baker, Chief Operating Officer. “Her long and healthy life is a testimony to nutrition and veterinary attention she received, and to the generations of keepers who cared for and about her over her lifetime.”

There has not been a decision at this time if the Philadelphia zoo will be getting another polar bear in the future. The Philadelphia zoo is a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

“We will be coordinating through future plans related to Polar Bears in partnership with the polar bears species survival plan,” Kristen Waldron, director of strategic initiatives, tells KYW Newsradio. “The zoo is actually in the process of going through a master planning process. So this is very new to us losing Coldiliocks. So we are going to need to kind of work through that and think about the future plans in a larger picture with our master plan over the next 5-to-10 years.”

Those wanting to make a donation in Coldilock’s honor should visit http://philadelphiazoo.org/PBIDonate put her name in the honor section and the address should be Philadelphia Zoo.

___

CBS3’s Trang Do and KYW Newsradio’s John McDevitt contributed to this story.